Introduction
Throughout the scriptures, we read that Abraham and his descendants sojourned for 430 years. We also read that Abraham's descendants were afflicted for 400 years. Can this be proven, though?
Regarding these issues, there have been some differing opinions and calculations. Consequently, I've compiled a number of scriptures that put together a timeline of events. It indicates everything we know about the years and ages of the sojourners. It also postulates some logical assumptions when the scriptures are silent.
I pray you read this and enjoy it! May God bless you richly with faith and knowledge. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me.
Part 1
First, we must note that Genesis 15:13 isn't referring to the Egyptian captivity. Genesis 15:13 reads, "Then He said to Abram: 'Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.'" This indicated that from the time when Isaac was first afflicted (which began at the time of his weaning in Genesis 21), to the time when the Israelites left Egypt, there would be four hundred years. This was fulfilled and can be verified.
In Exodus 12:40, it reads "Now the sojourn for the children of Israel, who lived in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years". This began when Abraham left Haran. He left Haran 25 years before Isaac was born (see Genesis 16:16).
The entire sojourn was four hundred and thirty years and their affliction lasted four hundred years. Incidentally, Galatians 3:17 correlates with Exodus 12:40.
Part 2
Here is a timeline with scriptures:
Genesis 12:4 - Abraham leaves Haran and the sojourn begins. This is the sojourn mentioned in Exodus 12:14. Abraham was 75 years old when he left Haran.
Genesis 15:13 - God tells Abraham that his descendants would be afflicted for 400 years.
Genesis 16:16 - Ishmael is born. Abraham is 86 years old.
Sojourn count: 11 total years
Genesis 21:5 - Isaac is born. Abraham is 100 years old.
Sojourn count: 25 total years
Genesis 21:9 - Isaac is weaned at age 5. Ishmael persecutes him to the point where Sarah complains to Abraham and he throws Ishmael and Hagar out of his house. The 400 years of Abraham’s descendant’s persecution/affliction begin.
Sojourn count: 30 total years
Genesis 25:26 - Jacob is born. Isaac is 60 years old.
Sojourn count: 85 total years
Genesis 30:34 - Levi is born.
Sojourn count: ?
Genesis 35:27 - Isaac dies at age 180. Jacob is 120.
Sojourn count: 205 total years
Genesis 37:2 - Joseph is 17 and gets sold into slavery.
Sojourn count: 154 total years
Genesis 41:46 - Joseph was 30 years old when Pharaoh gave him a position of authority.
Sojourn count: 167 total years
Genesis 45:6 - Joseph was 39 years old when his family came to Egypt (7 years of plenty, plus two years of famine). Jacob was 91.
Sojourn count: 176 total years
Genesis 47:28 - Jacob is 147 years old and dies.
Sojourn count: 232 total years
Genesis 50:22, 26 - Joseph lived 110 years.
Sojourn count: 247 total years
Exodus 6:16 - Levi lived 137 years.
Sojourn count: ?
Exodus 6:20 - Amram lived 137 years
Sojourn count: ?
Exodus 7:7 - Moses was 86 years old when he spoke to Pharaoh and told him to let God’s people go. This is the same year the Hebrews left Egypt. Therefore, the sojourn and affliction ended.
Sojourn count: ?
Those are the facts we now. The rest are assumptions. However, we know that the time frame is very logical and 400 years of affliction are very possible.
For the sake of trying to figure this out, here are a couple of assumptions that will fill in the gaps.
Joseph was a contemporary with Levi. They were brothers. Let’s assume they were born at the same time. This puts the sojourn at 274 when Levi dies. He lived longer than Joseph.
Next, we have Levi’s son, Kohath. All we know is he was alive when they entered Egypt and he lived 133 years. We also know that his son Amram lived 137 years. Finally, we know that Moses was 86 years old when he led God’s people out of Egypt.
Therefore, here is what we have:
166 - Kohath’s birth (estimated figure)
176 - Joseph is 39 years old and his family enters Egypt (solid figure)
252 - Amram’s birth (estimated figure)
247 - Joseph’s death (solid figure)
274 - Levi’s death (estimated figure)
299 - Kohath’s death (estimated figure)
344 - Moses’ birth (estimated figure)
383 - Amram’s death (estimated figure)
430 - Moses leads the people out of Egypt
